Patent GB-927268-A (GB)
Title: Machine for feeding elongated stock axially
Inventor: BROOKES RICHARD FREDERICK
IPC: B21C37/26
Filed: 1960-08-06
Abstract: 927,268. Making finned tubes; rod and barfeeding apparatus. T.I. (GROUP SERVICES) Ltd. Nov. 6, 1961 [Aug. 6, 1960], No. 27341/60. Classes 83 (2) and 83 (3). A machine for uniformly and continuously feeding elongated stock axially comprises a pair of grippers adapted alternately to grip and release the stock and means for reciprocating the grippers along the stock feed path, each gripper in turn feeding the stock forward and returning to its initial position while the other gripper continues the feed. Two feed units, and a drive unit are mounted on a stand 11 the drive unit comprises a motor 12, an infinitely variable gear 13, a fixed reduction gear and an electrically-operated brake and clutch unit 15, the output of which is connected to a splined shaft 19 which extends through the similar feed units. Each feed unit slides on a base 20 bolted to the stand and comprises a feed tube 29 driven by gears 26, 28 from the shaft 19. There is also a drive from a gear 27 on the shaft 19, through change gears to an electrically-operated clutch and brake unit 50 in which the clutch windings are energized when the unit is on and the brake windings are energized when the unit is off. The output shaft of the clutch drives through further gears 53, 54, 56 and 57 a lead nut mounted in bearings on the carriage 22 of each unit. The nut engages a lead screw 60 rotatably mounted on the base 20 of each unit and connected by an electrically-operated clutch and brake unit 62<SP>1</SP>, 62<SP>11</SP> and a worm and wheel reduction gear to an electric motor 70<SP>1</SP> and 70<SP>11</SP>. Each unit is controlled by a series of micro-switches 71 which are operated by cams 80 adjustably mounted on a rail 82 supported from the base 20. The machine is controlled by a multi-position switch and three bush - buttons, " Start," " Stop " and " Inch," and with the machine ready to run the motors 70<SP>1</SP>, 70<SP>11</SP> and 12 are on and the clutch units 15, 50, 62<SP>1</SP> and 62<SP>11</SP> are all off. Mounted on the forward end of each feed tube 29 are the rotatable elements of an air-operated chuck and in the ready to run condition these are in the open position. To feed stock forward and simultaneously rotate it the multiposition switch is moved to a first position and the " Start " button depressed. The clutch of the unit 15 is thereby engaged and the carriage 22<SP>1</SP> moves forward, after “ inch movement a switch 92 is operated and closes the chuck, after 5 inches travel the switch 93 is closed, the clutch 50 is thereby energized and the second carriage 2211 moves forward. After “ inch movement of the second carriage a second switch 92 is operated and closes the chuck so that both units are feeding and rotating the stock. A further # inch movement of the first carriage 22<SP>1</SP> operates the switch 94 and opens the chuck thereof and after a further “ inch movement the switch 95 is operated which energizes the brake winding of the unit 50, releases the brake of the unit 62<SP>1</SP> which has been holding the lead screw against rotation and couples it to the motor 70<SP>1</SP> to return the carriage 22<SP>1</SP> rapidly to its initial position. The return movement is stopped by operation of the switch 91. The feed units continue to operate alternately until the " Stop " button is depressed. Other positions of the multiposition switch may be used to rotate the stock without feeding it forward, to feed the stock forward without rotating it, or to feed the stock intermittently rearward without rotating it. In a modification the clutch units 50 are operated by double-acting pneumatic cylinders. The machine may be used for feeding tube to a fin applying machine, a bar-peeling machine, a machine for applying a helical wrapping to stock, or an automatic machine tool.